Temple pro day: Haason Reddick rising; Dion Dawkins flexible

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NFL scouts and coaches from every team in the league flooded into Temple's indoor practice facility for the Owls' pro day on Wednesday.

Temple had 14 participants in its pro day, but nearly everyone's attention was focused on Haason Reddick. The versatile defensive end, who projects as a linebacker at the next level, has watched his stock has ascend over the past couple months.

Reddick, who was projected to be a mid-round pick a few months back, is now projected to go in the first round after his performances at the Senior Bowl and the NFL
Scouting Combine.

At the combine, Reddick ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and leaped 11'1" in the long jump, which both ranked first out of defensive linemen.

Reddick didn't participate in the 40-yard dash at Temple's pro day, but he did participate in individual drills with the group of linebackers. The former walk-on looked comfortable and smooth dropping back into coverage during drills.

Cincinnati Bengals linebackers coach Jim Haslett was running the drills, and seemed to really have an eye on Reddick's skillset. The Bengals, who own the No. 9 overall pick in the draft, need a linebacker. A recent CBS Sports mock draft has Reddick being selected by the Bengals at ninth overall.

Reddick said teams like him at both outside and inside linebacker. He added that playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 system is what feels most natural to him after playing the edge at Temple.

"I just wanted to show what I could do from a position standpoint," Reddick said. "As far as at the combine, I believe with the testing of the 40, the broad and stuff I showed that I'm very explosive.

"I wanted to come here and show the coaches what they haven't seen that much on film."

Matakevich has high praise for Reddick
Former Temple and current Steelers linebacker, Tyler Matakevich, stopped by his alma mater's pro day on Wednesday.

After one year in the NFL with the Steelers, Matakevich sees similarities in Reddick's game with his teammate, Ryan Shazier.

"Absolutely," Matakevich said. "Shazier, he's unbelievable, he's special. I watch film with him every day and I talk to him, and some of the stuff he's able to do on the field you sort of just scratch your head. You're like, 'How did you just do that?' He's smooth, he withers his way through the holes, it's incredible. I think that's what Haason is going to do. He's just going to make plays whatever you do. His athletic ability is just unbelievable and that's what makes him so special and makes him able to do all of these ridiculous things."

Dawkins willing to play anywhere on the line
Dion Dawkins started at left tackle for Temple the past two seasons after battling injuries during his sophomore year.

However, he was listed as a guard at the Senior Bowl and the combine.

Dawkins said it's still unclear where he'll play in the NFL, but he's willing to play at any position on the offensive line.

"Teams see me as a right tackle, some see me as a left, some might see me as a left guard, so it's way up in the air," Dawkins said. "So I'm just taking it as I'm an athlete and I'll fit in the right spot where I'm supposed to fit."

Thomas offers versatility
Jahad Thomas was Temple's deadliest weapon on offense last season. He could line up as the feature back, catch passes out of the backfield and the slot and return kicks.

Thomas said at the combine many teams compared his style of play to dual-threat running backs James White, Darren Sproles and Tyreek Hill.

But one of the criticisms Thomas has faced entering the draft is his size at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, especially with a 4.62 40-yard dash time at the combine. 

Thomas said he plans on continuing to train and add some size leading up to the draft in April.

Deja-vu for Walker
Quarterback Phillip Walker, a two-star recruit out of Elizabeth, New Jersey, who was overlooked in high school, faces a very similar situation entering the NFL draft. After not getting a combine or Senior Bowl invite, Walker had an opportunity to showcase his arm to the scouts and coaches on Wednesday.

"That's when you rise to the top," Walker said. "I just go out there and compete at a high level, and you know I'm not afraid to go out there and compete," Walker said.

Walker has the arm strength, but his decision-making has always been an issue. Leading up to the pro day, he worked with Jenkins Elite, a football player development establishment in Colorado. He said they worked on a scripted pro day workout in order to prepare for Wednesday.

Walker tossed some nice deep balls, but also overthrew some targets. He said he plans on working with his former receivers Keith Kirkwood and Ventell Bryant leading up to the draft.

NFL scouts, coaches like Martin-Oguike's explosiveness
Praise Martin-Oguike made a name for himself in the trenches on Temple's defensive line last season, recording 7½ sacks, 10 tackles for loss and forcing three fumbles.

But Martin-Oguike said teams at the next level really liked his movement in coverage at the linebacker position.

"They said I looked good with the change of direction stuff, so I'm able to play linebacker," Martin-Oguike said. "I have the quickness and I'm explosive enough to play it, so they felt good about that.

"Some teams see me as a rush end, but most teams want me as a rush linebacker or a MIKE linebacker."

Deloatch drawing interest on both sides of the ball
Last year, Romond Deloatch played defensive end and tight end for Temple. He finished the year with 18 catches for 242 yards and a touchdown on offense, while racking up four sacks and seven tackles for a loss on defense.

Deloatch said teams like his experience on both sides of the ball. He added he doesn't have a preference of what side of the ball he's playing on, he just wants to help his team win like he did at Temple.

Williams thinks last year's draft class helped future classes
Last season, Temple players Robby Anderson and Kyle Friend signed on to practice squads and ended up making the team

Avery Williams believes this sends a message to the NFL about the kids coming out of Temple.

"A lot of people overlook Temple University, but what we do to the people who overlook us, we just punch them in the mouth and they can't deny it," Williams said.

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